







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | |
| Hm, it's comes to roughly £150 a week, it's about the same. | |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| Hey, we are back. | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| As they say, time is the best medicine. | |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| Yeah, it is very important for me, actually. | |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | |
| Dear, who is it? | |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | |
| Pogo is my little cat, is there a problem with that? | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| I guess my only choice is coming to your house! | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| Mike, it is a continent! | |